So I'm planning to make the apres-surf hoodie from IK summer 2008 http://www.interweaveknits.com/galleries/bonus/summer-2008/Apres-Surf-Hoodie.asp, but because I have a long and tortured history of cotton knits stretching to the point of unwearability, I want to make it in wool and call it my apres-snowboard hoodie. I asked on the KAL boards at Ravelry if anyone else was planning to do it in the round, and got a few comments to the effect that lace really needs seams for stability or structure or whatever. However, I've seen some really lovely in-the-round lace sweaters on craftster (in various materials) and was wondering, if all those people did Orangina in the round, in cotton or cotton blends, and were perfectly happy with the results, why can't I do this?

"I didn't and don't want to be a 'feminine' version or a diluted version or a special version or a subsidiary version or an ancillary version or an adapted version of the heroes I admire. I want to be the heroes themselves." --Joanna Russ.

I think one of Barbara Walker's Treasuries (4, maybe?) has an entire section on converting lace patterns to round from flat, and if it were a no-no, I can't see why she'd have that in there. The problems others have had may have to do with the fiber they use? Cotton (I think) is heavier, and therefore more prone to stretching out on occasion. Knitting flat may provide some structure there that helps keep it where it's supposed to be.

I don't really see why a sweater would need the stability (unless it will want to twist around funny...) since gravity will be keeping it down. However, I made lace socks in the round and they refuse to stay up due to the lack of stability and apparently heavy ribbing at the top. You could also convert it to in-the-round and then if it's acting weird do a crochet chain where the seams would be to give it some support. I love that sweater and would have assumed it was done in the round! Good luck, I think you can totally do it!

Thanks for the feedback, guys. I think I will do it in the round, and if it does feel weak or whatever, I'll take CraftyCoug's advice and crochet up the sides, where I plan to do a purl-stitch fake seam anyway.

"I didn't and don't want to be a 'feminine' version or a diluted version or a special version or a subsidiary version or an ancillary version or an adapted version of the heroes I admire. I want to be the heroes themselves." --Joanna Russ.